What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
flittingly
Example
The butterfly flitted from flower to flower. [flitted: verb]
Example
She caught only a flitting glimpse of the bird before it flew away. [flitting: gerund or present participle]
fleeting
Example
The sunset was beautiful but fleeting. [fleeting: adjective]
Example
He had a fleeting thought about quitting his job. [fleeting: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fleeting is more commonly used than flittingly in everyday language. Fleeting is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while flittingly is less common and more specific in its usage.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between flittingly and fleeting?
Both flittingly and fleeting are relatively formal words that are not commonly used in informal settings. However, fleeting is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.